General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Do you think Bernie Sanders can win the Democratic nomination? [View all]brooklynite
(96,882 posts)Give me SOME credit. As you know I give a lot of money to candidates, and I receive requests for money from a lot more. So I do a LOT of research into each race and what the prospects of the candidates for. I also apply the key lesson I learned in my youth as a campaign volunteer for candidates who generally lost: just because -I- liked a candidate didn't mean everyone else did.
I have NOT been a Clinton supporter "for years". I supported her in 2008 UP TO Super Tuesday, when I re-evaluated her prospects and switched to Obama. I started thinking about the 2016 race at the 2012 Convention when I went to listen to O'Malley, and I went to meet with Schweitzer. I joined RFH only last year, because I still think (supported by consistent polling) that of the likely candidates, Clinton was still the strongest and most popular. I hold that position, and I've explained why Sanders will have problems winning, which is still the key point: he can agree on every position you hold important, but if he doesn't win, he can't implement them, and they're all worthless.
I'll now hand the ball back to you. Explain how Bernie Sanders DOES win. What segments of the electorate adding up to a majority does he appeal to? What States adding up to 2,242 Convention Delegates and 270 Electoral Votes does he win with his message? Where does he get the resources to win in States where retail campaigning isn't practical, and where the Republicans will spend Billions (plural) in opposition?